Not all of us – women and men alike -- grow up with the benefit of having a gearhead in the family who turns us on to all things automotive and sparks a lifelong interest in cars. Put me in that category. My dad checked his own oil [...]
Not all of us – women and men alike -- grow up with the benefit of having a gearhead in the family who turns us on to all things automotive and sparks a lifelong interest in cars. Put me in that category. My dad checked his own oil [...]
My newly-leased 2008 Nissan Altima is driving well. The battery hasn't died once since it was replaced.Â
True, the headliner (the cloth that covers inside of the car's roof) is starting to fall away over the left rear seat. I have to give my [...]
Yesterday, J.D. Power and Associates released their U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies Study, in which they polled 19,000 people across the country.Â
Some of the interesting highlights: 72% of consumers said they were "definitely/probably" interested in having hybrid technology. After they were told that it would cost them $5000 extra, that figure dropped [...]
Minivans, a dying breed? (See Minivans Reach the Point of Reckoning). That's what everyone's saying. It's partly because many moms (and dads) hate the soccer mom stereotype, and because the minivan style is considered pretty hideous. It's also because the new mid- and full-size crossovers like the Hyundai [...]
With all the talk of hypermiling and fuel-efficient vehicles, something else is being overlooked: Left lane road hogs.
You know, the innattentive idiots that go too slowly in the left lane, forcing everyone to brake, change lanes, and pass them on the right? All that unnecessary acceleration means wasted gas! [...]
I am not a techie person. IÂ’m no luddite, but IÂ’m definitely not a first-adopter. Case in point: Last week, in preparation for complying with CaliforniaÂ’s hands-free law, I decided to find out if my cell phone (which IÂ’ve had for about 2 years -- insert blushing [...]
Summer is high book-reading season. If you're tired of the Oprah list, or want something other than fiction, here are some reads you might enjoy.
First is Car Advice for Women (and Smart Men), by the husband and wife team of Alexander Law and Susan [...]
Lauren Fix, a.k.a. "The Car Coach," just published a new book titled, Lauren Fix's Guide to Loving Your Car: Everything You Need to Know to Take Charge of Your Car and Get On with Your Life.
Lauren is the host of Talk [...]
Lauren Fix, a.k.a. "The Car Coach," just published a new book titled, Lauren Fix's Guide to Loving Your Car: Everything You Need to Know to Take Charge of Your Car and Get On with Your Life.
Lauren is the host of Talk [...]
Although I'm happily back in the saddle of my new 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid (the battery's working fine, thanks!), I couldn't pass up the opportunity to drive home from the office in our long-term 2008 smart fortwo passion. Edmunds readers are [...]
The Editors at WardÂ’s Automotive presented the 2008 "Interior of the Year" Awards today at Ward's Auto Interiors Show in Detroit. According to J.D. Power & Associates, interior comfort is the second most important factor in choosing a vehicle (ranking ahead of exterior styling and just behind reliability/durability).
There were [...]
I'm so impressed with Audi.
At a time when a lot of automakers are talking about how important the women's market is, Audi is actually putting its money where it's mouth is. The company recently hosted what I believe to be the first all-women, manufacturer-sponsored weekend. There, Audi A4's female designers and (male) product [...]
Nice, huh? Too bad it wouldn't start!
Yesterday I continued my story on how I came to choose the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid as my new ride, and the deal I got on it. What I didn't [...]
Yesterday, Mark LaNeve, North American VP of vehicle sales and marketing for General Motors, visited our offices. During his hour-plus-long conversation with a roomful of staffers from various departments, the subject of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro came up. I found it interesting and surprising (and our enthusiast-focused sister [...]
Love those lights: The interior of the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid.
Yesterday I wrote about changing my new car focus from a six+-seater to a sedan. Here's the continuation of that story, on how I chose my new ride, [...]
A few weeks ago, I asked for feedback on my next new car. Well, so much has changed since then, and I finally (finally!) made a decision over the Memorial Day Weekend: A 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid.
What [...]
You've gotta feel bad for Danica Patrick.
She ran 92nd Indy 500 this past weekend, but was knocked out of the race by driver Ryan Briscoe when his car left the pit. While she was never in contention for the lead spot, it's gotta be the ultimate piss-off to get that [...]
Would you want to drive a Smart Fortwo from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and back (a 270-miles trip)? Yeah, neither would I. But recently some of our fearless staffers did just that. It was part of a fuel economy test called the Gas-Sipper Smackdown that pitted [...]
The 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 is set for Sunday, May 25, 2008, and this is the first time a woman is fielding an IndyCar as both driver and team owner.
The multi-talented Sarah Fisher qualified this past weekend in the 22nd position for her seventh Indy 500 race, [...]
The new Forester is bigger, better-looking and offers more features than ever before.
With its transformation into a sport-utility from a wagon, the Forester is finally ready to compete with bestsellers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
Has Subaru built the best Forester yet?
I recently took a trip to Carmel, California in our long-term 2008 Hyundai Veracruz AWD. There are so many little reasons to like this car. In fact, it's the first time I've ever considered buying a Korean vehicle as my personal car.
Sure, [...]
Beverly Rae Kimes, author of essential books of automotive history, has passed away.
Kimes was active in the Society of Automotive Historians and had served as the group?s president. She was also a longtime editor of Automobile Quarterly as well as a frequent contributor to the Mercedes-Benz Club of [...]
My 2-year-old daughter and I have spent a good deal of time with the Recaro Como convertible car seat now, and I?m pleased to report that we both are very happy with its performance in most areas. We?ve tested it in a large percentage of our long-term [...]
Ward's Dealer Business, an industry publiciation, recently published a good article on women-owned dealerships. Here's an excerpt:
"Women bring a different approach and style to something that has been a man's world," [Deborah Dorman, president of ENYCAR, Inc., the Eastern New York Coalition of Automotive Retailers] says. "And [...]
Sarah Fisher and Hillary Clinton have a certain amount in common. They are both groundbreakers, advancing women's position in areas strongly dominated by men. So it wasn't unfitting that Fisher decided to endorse Clinton.
Today the AP reported on Clinton's visit to Fisher's garage at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Fisher [...]
There has been a lot of Top Gun quoting around the office here lately. ?You can be my wingman anytime.? ?That?s right, Iceman. I am dangerous.? ?Because I was inverted?? It?s at epidemic proportions, really. But I?m not complaining. As a child of the ?80s, Top Gun quotes are [...]
A few weeks ago, racing and sport seat specialist, Recaro, sent us two of its latest child safety seats to try. While Bryn's toddler has been spending time in the Como Convertible toddler seat, my 45-pound, seven-year-old daughter is the perfect size to road-test Recaro's Vivo high-back booster.
The Vivo, [...]
Time to take your car in for service? Before you call to make an appointment, check out this super useful tool we have on Edmunds.com. I was recently reminded of its existence in the Tips & Advice section after one of our editors posted about taking our [...]
Earth Day is approaching fast (it?s next Tuesday, in case you didn?t already know), and if you?re in the market for a new vehicle, it?s the perfect time to consider buying a car that gets the best fuel economy in its class. (Truthfully, every day is a great [...]
My job keeps me so concerned with the practical aspects of buying and owning a car that sometimes I forget how much fun it is to fantasize about cars I wish I could have. But we've got a couple of new [...]
NHTSA's done a lot of good work under Chief Nicole Nason, about whom we wrote only weeks ago. Here's another new annoucement that The Driving Woman is applauding: At NHTSA's consumer site, Safercar.gov, you now can signup for automatic e-mail alerts if [...]
I?ve been suffering from public radio-based Clinton/Obama Fatigue these days, so I recently rediscovered the ?80s stations on satellite radio. And maybe it?s all the ?Listen to Your Heart,? ?Funky Cold Medina? and ?Janie?s Got a Gun,? but my mind?s been drifting to my first car a lot lately. [...]
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just released its crash tests of 2008 midsize sedans. Hopefully you can read the graphic above.
The bottom line: All the cars were significantly improved over the IIHS test done in 2004. The [...]
Even if you're not working on Wall Street or an employee of one of the four airlines that failed in 2008, chances are you're feeling the pain of the slow economy. Gas prices up, unemployment up, spending money down. Sounds like a lousy time to [...]
I just spent some time in the refreshed-for-2008 Mazda Mazda5, and I enjoyed it quite a lot. It was really useful, fun to drive and cool-looking enough that my severely minivan-averse husband was happy to be seen in it. And we're actually in the market for exactly this type [...]
Since y'all were so helpful in Michelle's quest for a new car, which resulted in her happy purchase of a 2008 Scion xD, I thought I'd ask for your input for my next purchase. The lease on my 2005 Toyota Highlander is up in July. Once I crunch the [...]
I have had my 2008 Scion xD for just over a month and it is already time for a new car. Not for me this time, for my husband.
We are being hit a little hard by the current state of the economy. We [...]
Want to know which vehicles are experiencing significant price changes? Try our new Predictive TMV Alerts, which you can access from the home page's New Car section. It'll tell you which cars are expected to experience a rise or fall in True Market Value, based on a proprietary formula. [...]
Ever wish you could tell other consumers the good, the bad, and the ugly about your car? (Disappointed in the gas mileage? Love the way it handles?) You can, by submitting a Consumer Review. It's super easy and it makes a difference. In fact, we're using all reviews [...]
NYC --first day of the International Auto ShowSheryl Crow performs for Mercedes and Hyundai launches the 2010 Genesis coupe with an indoor track and a drifting performance by women race car drivers. As far as exhibitions go, the first day [...]
Summer is high book-reading season. If you're tired of the Oprah list, or want something other than fiction, here are some reads you might enjoy.
First is Car Advice for Women (and Smart Men), by the husband and wife team of Alexander Law and Susan [...]
NHTSA's tests a vehicle's roof strength with a special crush test.
I came across this excellent article about a new IIHS crash test report on SUVs in USA Today. Here's an excerpt:
"Now comes a sobering conclusion in a report [...]
About a year ago, 30 billboards were put up around Los Angeles to promote a horror/torture film. The billboards showed some pretty disturbing images suggestive of a woman being kidnapped, tortured and presumably killed. They caused quite an uproar in the city, from the public as well as from [...]
I have had my new 2008 Scion xD for a few weeks now and I am happy to report that I have consistently been averaging 32.5 m.p.g. under mixed driving conditions. My last tank of gas and the one I am on now have had something closer to 31.4 m.p.g. [...]
We've added a 2008 BMW X5 to our long-term fleet.
It's equipped with a 4.8-liter V8 engine capable of 350 horsepower, a six-speed automatic transmission, BMW's all-wheel-drive system and a third-row seat.
We opted for the premium 16-speaker audio system, heated seats and moonroof.
We'll keep our Platinum Bronze [...]
Chevy?s green motto, "From Gas Friendly to Gas Free," was in full flower last week as Chevy and Disney hosted more than 150 L.A.-area school children at Chevy Rocks the Future event at Disney Studios in Burbank. The lucky students, grades 4-8 attended a private [...]
